Taking the heat off our water network – 10 easy ways to save water

We’re loving the sunshine! But this heatwave does bring a few problems.

Demand for water is over 20% higher than normal for this time of year and our water network is now at absolute maximum capacity. Our client, Northern Ireland Water, is working around the clock to keep up.

Here are a few ways we can all help.

Don’t let taps run when you brush your teeth – it can waste 6 litres per minute.

Keep water in the fridge for drinking. You won’t need to run the tap so much.

Catch excess water in a basin. If you need to run your tap until it’s hot, collect the unwanted water to feed your plants.

Take shorter showers. Knock a minute off every shower and you could save 10,000 litres a year.

Take a shower instead of a bath and you could be using less than half the water.

Use a bowl for washing vegetables and water your plants with what’s left over rather than keeping a tap running.

Do full loads in your washing machine – half-load programmes can use over half the water and energy of a full load.

Avoid watering lawns. They’re great survivors. They’ll bounce back with the first heavy rain.